Game Review

What a week. The almost inevitable fallout from a diabolical loss to the Gold Coast Suns came quickly. After much speculation the previous day the Carlton Football Club formally announced on the morning of Thursday August 30 that Brett Ratten would not see out the final year of his contract at Carlton. It was hardly surprising, given the indifferent year combined with a couple of horrible, apparently unforgivable, losses and the looming spectre of Mick Malthouse. What was a little surprising to some was Ratten's willingness to coach out the final game of the season and the Club's willingness to let him do so. The game against the Saints had no consequence whatsoever, except perhaps in sentimental terms, as neither side had much to play for barring pride. The finals dream for Carlton had evaporated in a barrage of behinds amongst the sweaty surrounds of Metricon Stadium. This one, as much as he tried to play it down, was all about Brett Ratten.

With new boys Levi Casboult and Andrew McInnes unavailable due to injury (McInnes' confirmed as a long-term ACL) while Ed Curnow and David Ellard got the flick, there were bound to be a few changes at selection. Big fellows Luke Mitchell and Pat McCarthy were both called up to make their debut in what would be a doubly memorable game for them both. In addition to the debutants, Mitch Robinson had recovered from an eye problem and Rhys O'Keeffe was recalled. But it didn't end there. On game day both Andrew Carrazzo and Zach Tuohy withdrew from the side allowing both Curnow and Ellard a life-line in the final game of the season.

While Ratten was doing everything possible to keep calm and carry on as if nothing unusual was going on, the same couldn't be said for his players. They were clearly attempting to regain some of the credibility lost in Queensland and perhaps let their emotions get the better of them in doing so, at least in the early going. Andrew Walker's Adonis-like frame was on display for all to see after an extended bout of Greco-Roman style wrestling with that serial irritant Steven Milne. A changed role for Walker saw him standing in the back pocket attempting to play Milne at his own annoying game. With barely enough time for Walker to replace his jumper the Saints had two goals on the board and it was looking like another one of those days that have been all too familiar against the Saints of recent times. But things steadied, the Blues composed themselves somewhat and knuckled down. They responded with four on the trot to setup a handy break mid way through the first term. It was Jeff Garlett who kicked Carlton's first but all kudos was due to Dennis Armfield after a blistering dash out of defence and down the wing before steadying to hit Garlett lace out. Tom Bell continued his impressive finish to the season with a nice goal in traffic before Jarrad Waite snagged his first after stretching high for a mark from Chris Judd's pass. To top off the four, Luke Mitchell joined the "first kick was a goal" club. Having spilled a simple mark he recovered well and spun onto his right foot and snapped truly. It is safe to say he and his teammates were quite happy. The good work up forward, and that of Judd and Brock McLean through the midfield was undone towards the end of the term when the Saints fought back with two more goals to reduce Carlton's lead to a mere four points at the break.

Disaster struck for Chris Yarran shortly after the resumption of play as he limped away from a heavy tackle with a hamstring strain prematurely ending his game and season. Yarran's amusing love tap to Brendon Goddard's chin on the way off was a lighter moment that seemed to make the typically angry Saint even angrier. Goals were exchanged early, Waite claiming his second, before the Saints broke away with three in a row. McLean continued to rack up possessions for the Blues but our other leading midfielder Judd suffered an injury almost identical to Yarran's. In a fierce tackle initial fears were that Judd's shoulder had been hurt, but as the replay's were aired a quick clutch at his hammy post-tackle before hurriedly stepping through the interchange gate told the tale. Another one down and the Saints with a clear numerical advantage about 10 minutes before half time. The Blues fought on though, first getting one back through Eddie Betts having received a beautifully weighted ball from Walker and then through an unexpected source in Nick Duigan. Duigan was the overjoyed beneficiary of a rare 100m penalty (thanks to some extra lip from Montagna) that brought him to the top of the square for the simplest of finishes. Another very even quarter saw the Saints sneak past the Blues to lead by three points at half time.

The Saints sprung out of the rooms to grab the opener and extend their lead before Mitch Robinson responded for the Blues. Waite kicked consecutive goals to steady the Blues and regain their lead, but the game was all about what could have been for the Blues. Appearing to have the upper hand in much of the general play it was déjà vu all over again for the Blues as they simply couldn't find the goals when it mattered. Costly behinds to McLean, Betts, Gibbs, Garlett and Murphy contributed to a wasteful 3.8 for the term and whilst the Blues had eked out a nine point lead, it could've and should've been significantly more. The only question remained was whether they had the heart and legs to hold on.

The Saints opened with a goal in the final term when Carlton desperately wanted that steadier, but it wasn't to be. Waite banana-ed through a magnificent goal from the boundary when all logic suggested his chances were slim and then McLean finally avoided the woodwork after timing his run through the congestion perfectly to accept Matt Kreuzer's palm down. Those goals put the Blues 15 points clear midway through the quarter, but that was where it ended. St. Kilda's extended period with a numerical advantage in the interchange battle finally ground the Blues down and they were emphatically over-run in the final 15 minutes. The Saints kicked 5.2 to Carlton's two behinds in that all important last period to run out 15 point winners, the Blues clearly out on their feet with nothing left in the tank. The game summed up our season in a nutshell, crucial injuries and poor kicking. It was a less than ideal send-off for a true Carlton champion in Brett Ratten. He was dignified to the end and enhanced his reputation by the way he carried himself in a difficult and unfortunate situation. Bad result, bad year, now put to bed. Let the next chapter begin.

Subs: David Ellard replaced Chris Yarran (hamstring) early in the 2nd quarter.

-* Late changes Zach Tuohy and Andrew Carrazzo relaced by Ed Curnow and David Ellard

Milestones

Debut & Only Games:Luke Mitchell, Patrick McCarthyLast Game:Rhys O'KeeffeLast Game (Coach):Brett Ratten finished his Carlton coaching career in this game. In his 120 games as coach he had a 50.42% winning ratio, with 60 victories and a draw. His first game was Round 17, 2007 (also at Docklands against St. Kilda) and that ended in a 10 point defeat.Goal with first kick:Luke MitchellInteresting Fact:Jarrad Waite would overtake his father's game tally in this match with 154 games (finishing with 184 Carlton games, before departing to North Melbourne). Incidentally this match also fell on Father's Day.Interesting Fact: Carlton would end Season 2012, having played 295 games since our last Grand Final. A Club Record, by some margin...